Guide to Microdosing Cannabis, for the Over 50 Beginner- NY State Office of Cannabis Management

There isn’t much official guidance out there as to how a beginner goes about starting to  use Cannabis.  One is expected to simply know how.  For those of us who never tried it back in the day, or maybe had bad experiences, there is a dearth of practical information.

Thankfully, the State of New York’s Office of Cannabis Management (NYSOCM) published “The Guide to Safer Cannabis Consumption“.  This is a must have resource for anyone over 50 considering cannbis use for the first time, or perhaps in a long, long time.  

This Guide covers types of cannabis (there is a dizzying array of choices, growing every day it seems), common cannabis measurements and terms, and safe practices for cannabis consumption.

One of the biggest risks is finding the right dose, and dose form, for your particular needs.  Unlike a standard, FDA-approved drug, cannabis is available in almost any form and concentration.  One is left to experiment.  This is not an ideal situation, greatly increases the risk of a bad experience, and thereby increases the risk that what should be a useful drug applied for rational, specific purpose, is taken off the menu.

NYSOCM’s primary recommendation, on page 11 of the guide, is to start low and go slow.  As everyone’s body is different, and the product itself is different in concentration and type, the only way to arrive at your ideal dose is to experiment. 

Give yourself, let’s say, 5 sessions over the course of several days or weeks, starting with a very low dose.  NYSOCM’s guide says the following about dosage:  “Edible products in New York State may have up to 10 milligrams of THC per
serving. While serving sizes vary greatly from person to person (and even from
day to day!) it is critical to make sure you understand that it can take up to two
hours to feel the effects of edibles and 10 milligrams may be too much for you.”

PleasureCize’s recommendation is to start even lower than that- one half of a 5 mg gummy.  Wait 2 hours- if little or no effect- good!  That is excellent information- way better than starting too high.  

Session 2- increase to one whole 5 mg gummy.

Why edible and not inhaled (smoked)?  Because inhalation of any substance hits the body 10x faster than anything eaten.  Smoking as a first time user is a very high risk of having a bad experience.  

On page 16 the Guide provides a “Cannabis Journal”.  This is an invaluable tool to  scientifically track what the pharmaceutical industry calls a “dose finding” study.  

Be patient, and put in the time to experiment.  

Ready every word of NYSOCM’s guide.  Good luck and godspeed!